The Latest: Baltimore prosecutors drop 1 misconduct charge

Lt. Brian Rice, one of the six members of the Baltimore Police Department charged in connection to the death of Freddie Gray, arrives at a courthouse for opening statements in his trial in Baltimore, Thursday, July 7, 2016. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
(The Associated Press)

Lt. Brian Rice, second from left, one of the six members of the Baltimore Police Department charged in connection to the death of Freddie Gray, arrives at a courthouse for opening statements in his trial in Baltimore, Thursday, July 7, 2016. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
(The Associated Press)

Lt. Brian Rice, one of six members of the Baltimore Police Department charged in connection to the death of Freddie Gray, steps out of a vehicle as he arrives at a courthouse for opening statements in his trial in Baltimore, Thursday, July 7, 2016. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
(The Associated Press)

BALTIMORE – The Latest on the trial of the highest-ranking Baltimore officer charged in the fatal injury of a young black man inside a police van (all times local):

10:15 a.m.

The prosecution has dropped one of the charges against a Baltimore police officer charged in the fatal injury of a young man in a detainee van.

Before their opening statement Thursday at the trial of Lt. Brian Rice, prosecutors told the judge they would not go forward on one of two charges of misconduct in office.

That leaves Rice facing four counts: manslaughter, second-degree assault, a different charge of misconduct in office and reckless endangerment.

Rice is one of six officers, three white and three black, charged in the arrest and death of Freddie Gray, a young black man who died last year. Two officers have been acquitted.

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3:30 a.m.

The trial of a Baltimore police officer who's facing criminal charges stemming from the arrest and death of a young black man whose neck was broken in the back of a transport wagon is slated to begin with opening statements.

Lt. Brian Rice is facing manslaughter, assault, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office charges stemming from the April 19, 2015, death of Freddie Gray.

Rice opted for a judge trial. He is the fourth of six officers — three white and three black — to stand trial. Last month two other officers were acquitted, and the proceedings for another officer ended in a mistrial in December.

Gray's death prompted protests and rioting across Baltimore and added fuel to the national Black Lives Matter movement.